The storm had already pounded the midsection of the U.S., dumping a record snowfall in Arkansas and lashing the Northeast with high winds, snow and sleet.

The storm, which is blamed for at least six deaths in the U.S., knocked out power to thousands of utility customers, primarily in Arkansas.

Hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed out of U.S. airports and several departures had been cancelled by early Thursday at Pearson International Airport in Toronto and at Montreal’s Trudeau Airport.

Travellers were urged to call ahead to check on their flight status before heading to the airports.

The Toronto area was due to receive about 10 cms. of snow into Thursday morning while the Niagara region and Hamilton areas were bracing for 15 to 20 cms.

Similar amounts were forecast for eastern Ontario from the Kingston area east into Quebec through Montreal and Laval and areas south of the city.

Environment Canada says the Montreal region could receive up to 30 centimetres of snow accompanied by widespread blowing snow.

In New Brunswick, snow and blowing snow was expected to begin early Thursday in the southwest and eastern regions, with about 25 cms. or more expected.

Parts of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island also lay in the storm’s path, where winter storm watches or rainfall warnings had already been posted.

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